Vieux-Fumé grew up around a ford across the Laizon. The history of the village therefore begins at a crossing over the river, while the surrounding area is shaped by rural landscapes. Its preserved rural heritage is also reflected in its houses and farmsteads, including buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. In Vieux-Fumé, landscape, village history and architecture thus sit side by side. If you are interested in cultural discoveries, the Église Saint-Germain and the Château du Mesnil-d'O offer different historical points of interest.

The Église Saint-Germain: architecture and furnishings

The ground plan of the Église Saint-Germain is in the shape of a Latin cross. The nave and transept are complemented by a bell tower, a north sacristy and a flat-ended chancel. Arcisse de Caumont dates the church to the 12th century. Later alterations and furnishings can be distinguished chronologically: the tower and the chancel interiors were remodelled in 1775, and the altarpiece was erected in 1704.

At the southern side altar, a painting of Saint Germain is set into the altarpiece. It was created between 1850 and 1859 and is listed as a movable object under heritage protection. The dates therefore relate to different aspects of the church: its historical dating, a remodelling and individual elements of its furnishings. Together, they provide a nuanced picture of its architectural and artistic history, rather than reducing the church to a single date.

The cemetery also preserves memories of local history. It contains the tomb of François-Antoine Cacqueret, former prior of Plessis Grimoult and parish priest of Vieux-Fumé, who died in 1829. Next to the Église Saint-Germain is a cemetery cross from the first quarter of the 19th century. The tomb and the cross thus represent different forms of remembrance at this religious site.

The Château du Mesnil-d'O and its art

The Château du Mesnil-d'O is built of stone; the estate also includes an orangery and an 18th-century chapel. Protected features include the façades and roofs of the château and orangery, a staircase with a wrought-iron railing, and decorated rooms on the ground floor. The protected elements therefore range from exterior structural features to details of the staircase and interior furnishings.

A mural inside the Château du Mesnil-d'O was painted between 1740 and 1750. It comprises five paintings depicting scenes from the Iliad. The painting “Achille tue Hector” in the château also depicts a scene from the Iliad. For visitors interested in cultural history, mythological subjects are therefore a focus here alongside the architecture.

The Château is visible from the road; visits are possible by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance. This allows you to distinguish a visit to the château from the views available freely from the roadside when planning your trip.

A walking option starting from the church

The circular walking route “Le Laizon entre Vieux-Fumé et Ouezy” starts at the church in Vieux-Fumé and follows quiet roads and paths. A walk thus complements the themes of architecture and art with an activity of its own. Check the condition of the route and its waymarking before setting out. You can balance the combination of local history and the circular route according to your interests: focus on the historic buildings or plan the walk as a separate activity, without needing to follow a set order.

Discover more destinations: Ussy, Thiéville, Canchy, Saint-Laurent-Du-Mont, Sainte-Marguerite-De-Viette, Cricquebœuf, Surville, Épron.

For the regional travel overview: Calvados.